The capture, or recapture, of Manila from the occupying Japanese early in 1945 was a considerable feat of arms and an important stage in General McArthur's strategy of "liberating" the Philippines. It took weeks of heavy fighting before the strongly entrenched defenders were crushed, losing about 20,000 men to fewer than 7,000 Americans. These casualties, however, were small compared with civilian losses of up to a quarter of a million men, women and children, many or most in massive aerial bombardment and incessant shelling; the Japanese also carried out some atrocious reprisals. A chilling chapter of war, about which most official histories have preferred to be silent.
B.F.